Cakes, Cookies and Pies

There are Options in Life

The changes in my life are unapologetically wary. It subtly started when learning about my favorite hair products being discontinued. Next, I noticed my hair is abnormally super dry. Before continuing this story, let’s pause for a disclaimer: Talking about hair care isn’t a sound reason for reading this food blog. But, I can assure you, my hair isn’t the main topic of this story. But, please follow where this story leads. Because, writing this story is a therapeutic effort dedicated to me, but the featured Date, Walnut, Sesame Seed Scone recipe is for you.

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Well Wishes Needed

Cardamon Cake with Cashew Butter Frosting

August is our birthday month. This year, it started great. Jacinto remembered to wake me up early on the first Sunday of the month for us to attend church. He looks forward to standing up together when the announcer asks for everyone born in August. We dined at our favorite restaurant, The Cecil in Harlem, on his birthday. We danced to Lauren Hill and Lenny Kravtiz at AfroPunk Festival in the VIP section one weekend. Unfortunately, by the time my birthday week occurred, the good times had ceased.

Never Forget these Pecan Bars

Pecan Bars

Potato Chips, fruity and hard candies, twirly sugar sticks, chewy caramels, salty pretzels and raw nuts were not my childhood friends. Among the most offending taste were raw nuts. The taste of peanuts are what I image wood to taste like, but I love peanut butter. And, I will never understand people’s obsession with salted sunflower seeds as they spit speckled shells onto subway train floors. Then there’s the pecans. They’re a different nut.

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Parade.com: Dark and White Chocolate Brownies with Candy Cane

Dark and White Chocolate Brownies with Candy Cane

There’s nothing like a peppermint candy cane crushed into tiny pieces with its crisp flavor cutting through a decadent, dark and vanilla white chocolate brownie. The flavors sing, “Have a jolly Merry Christmas!” Continue reading Parade.com: Dark and White Chocolate Brownies with Candy Cane

Parade.com: Cardamon Snickerdoodles

Cardamon Snickerdoodles

It’s the various spices that define holiday baking with cinnamon being the most common of them all. Next to beautifully adored butter cookies, simple snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon and sugar are one of my favorite cookies because of its soft and chewy texture. In this recipe, coconut sugar replaces white sugar for a less sweetened and a hint of caramel flavor. While white-whole wheat flour is tossed with all-purpose white flour for a slightly healthier treat. The other change? Cardamon replaces cinnamon for a different sweet and spicy flavor. Along with cinnamon, it’s a spice redefining the holidays among adventurous bakers.

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